Haarlem and the Flower Auction

We’ll set out very early this morning for Aalsmeer and a tour of the famous Dutch flower auction. The action happens fast here, with bidders having only a few seconds to complete the sale. The prices start high and move lower, so it is a true Dutch auction in all senses. More than 20 million flowers and plants are sold every day to buyers from all over the world. We’ll watch the veritable ballet of colors as the plants and flowers come and go in the hall, and we’ll peer down on the action in the bustling warehouse. Our next stop will be a tour of Haarlem, a haven for artists since the 17th century when it was the center of the Dutch Golden Age as Flemish artists flocked here. Today’s tour follows the footsteps of Frans Hals and Dutch Renaissance architecture.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the excursions can change.
• Times are approximate.